Early Childhood Arts Educator

Early Childhood Arts Educator

Also called: Early Childhood Music Specialist, Early Childhood Drama Specialist

Early childhood arts educators introduce young children to music, dance, and theater through a variety of play-based experiences and activities, in the process laying the foundation for more advanced learning, nurturing a lifelong love of the arts, and providing myriad cognitive and developmental benefits. 

What Does an Early Childhood Arts Educator Do?

Creative arts-based play is widely understood to be an important part of childhood growth and development. Early childhood arts educators play a crucial role in introducing young children to the joys of music, dance, and theater, as well as the many positive emotional, intellectual, and social benefits that accompany an arts education. Early childhood educators might specialize in a single art form or expose children to aspects of many different ones.

Working with children requires patience, enthusiasm, warmth, excellent listening skills, respect for diversity, and a deep love of young people.

In order to bring young children into the world of dance, early childhood educators use time-honored activities such as improvising movement; investigating shapes and space; responding to rhythms; moving with props; and exploring concepts such as partnering, mirroring, and follow-the-leader. When it comes to theater exploration, educators might lead children in pantomiming daily activities, acting out stories, using puppets and masks to create characters, or giving classroom objects imaginary qualities. There are countless ways teachers can bring music into the classroom: singing loudly and softly, high and low, and fast and slow to explore dynamics; clapping in different rhythmic patterns; using found objects to create sounds; and listening to a variety of music.

Some educators are trained to offer a more formal music education to young children based on established approaches such as Suzuki Early Childhood Education. Depending on the setting and the teacher's responsibilities (i.e., whether they are an arts specialist or a general teacher), they may engage in a variety of activities with children and supervise them during meal time, nap time, and personal hygiene activities. 

Work Life Balance

Most early childhood educators work a traditional 10-month school year, but teachers employed by preschools and pre-K institutions are increasingly likely to work year-round. Work hours are variable: arts specialists might work part-time, leading two-hour sessions at several different community programs and schools each day, or work full-time, teaching eight-hour days at a day-care center or school. Public pre-K programs offer part-time and full-time positions, usually split into separate morning and afternoon shifts.

Community

Working with children requires patience, enthusiasm, warmth, excellent listening and communication skills, respect for diversity, and a deep love of watching and helping young people learn about the world.

Finding Work

Early childhood educators work for preschools, public schools, private schools, Head Start programs, and day-care centers, as well as religious organizations like churches, synagogues, YMCAs, and Jewish community centers. Aspiring arts educators can get experience working as a volunteer, intern, teacher's aide, or substitute teacher—all of which help build résumés. Job openings are posted on websites and in print and online publications targeted at the education field.

Professional Skills

  • Teaching
  • Experience with young children
  • Broad (or focused) understanding of music, dance, and/or theater
  • Verbal communication
  • Empathy

Interpersonal Skills

Working with children requires patience, enthusiasm, warmth, excellent listening and communication skills, respect for diversity, and a deep love of watching and helping young people learn about the world.


Industries

  • Film, Video, and Television
  • Technology
  • Video Games
  • Advertising
  • Artist Services
  • Music and Audio Tools
  • Radio and Streaming Music
  • Recording Industry
  • Health and Wellness
  • Theater
  • Live Music
  • Opera
  • Dance
  • Orchestra, Chorus, and Band
  • Education
  • Arts Administration
  • Journalism
  • Church and Worship

Top US Cities for This Role

  • Los Angeles
  • San Francisco Bay Area
  • New York City
  • Boston
  • Nashville